Resurrection of le blog

So, my BFF, Audra, pointed out the other day that I really need to resurrect the blog.  I said "It is just too much work to keep up with and I just do not have the time." And she pointed out that I was putting too much thought into it.  I smiled. Isn't it funny how long time friends just know you so well? I put too much thought into pretty much every aspect of my life. No wonder I'm exhausted. Ha!

I really enjoy writing the happenings of our family down. I also know that I will be grateful I did when the kids are grown. But, the past several months have been crazy. This business of raising little humans is some tough work. I know, I know, people have been doing it since the beginning of time. However, I have not. So, bare with me as I attempt to multi-task some more.

I'm going to have to skip the last year of our lives and I'll slowly back log some posts. Here goes....

Love to all~ Anna

A Milo is born

Kelly and I headed to Germantown Methodist Hospital around lunch on Monday. We were to show up at 12:30pm for a scheduled c-section at 2:30pm. I felt prepared, but was a ball of nerves....and very hungry :). When, they hooked me up to the monitor, I was already having contractions. I think it was the anxiety. I was laying there as they were taking blood work and I could not get comfortable.

As I headed back to the operating room, I was more nervous than I was when I delivered Jude. Life just seems so much more precious and fragile after you have your first baby. I realize how much Jude relies on me.... and to have a major operation while my little boy waited for me...made me scared. Luckily, our good friends Nick and Ashely had called their family friend, Shelley, to be my CRNA. When they rolled me into the OR, she already knew my name, about my family, and helped me with my breathing and shaking. Everyone in the OR kept talking to me, asking me all kinds of questions. I just did not want to talk or even open my eyes. I told Shelley "I'm really nervous, I just want to close my eyes right now." She said OK and helped me relax. With my eyes closed, and me prep-ed for surgery, Kelly was allowed to enter the room. He immediately grabbed my hand, and I immediately relaxed. He knew that I just needed quiet, just needed his presence. Soon after the operation started, silence was broken with a beautiful loud cry. Music to a new Mother's ears.

Milo Zachery Johnson came into the world at 3:08pm. And he was not happy about being taken from the comfort of his Mommy's tummy. All the nurses were laughing and joking about how he had one of the loudest cries they had every heard. Healthy Johnson lungs! He was absolutely perfect. 7lbs, 9oz and 20 inches long. Kelly went over and watched as they did his stats and he would relay them to me. He told me..."he has really big hands!" Oh sweet Milo... you do have big hands... and long lashes...and beautiful lips. 

Usually for C-sections, they do not let you have the baby until a couple hours after the procedure and you are settled into your room. Well, that was not going to fly with this momma. So, Kelly and I used our persuasive skills to allow them to let me hold and nurse Milo right after he was born. I was so grateful to have him immediately in my arms. It was pure heaven. He nursed wonderfully and finally settled down once he was nice and bundled with his Momma.  We just stared at each other. Love at first sight. There is truly nothing like it.

Put me back!

Nice to meet you

What are they doing to me!?!

Still a little grumpy...

That's much better...

GNO/ BNO

I am forever behind on the blog. My MacBook's hard drive broke somehow. We believe a nameless child may have used/abused said MacBook this summer. So, needless to say, now that it is fixed (can I get an Amen!).....I have lots of catch up to do.

At the beginning of the summer, when we just had the twins with us, Kelly and I planned a Girls Night Out/Boys Night Out. My mom and I took Kam to her very first play at The Orpheum, "Beauty and the Beast". Of course, I had to buy her a yellow dress, because you can't see Belle in any other color...right?!? She was such a princess and sat in awe of all the music and costumes. Kelly took Kyle and Jude to eat and play the Par 3 at Windyke. Kyle felt big in his polo carrying his very own golf bag. Everyone really enjoyed their special time. Here are a couple pics before we headed out for the night! Love to all!~ Anna

My handsome boys!

All set to see Belle!

BA..CITAL!

Kam had her very first recital on June 11. There was some serious anticipation preceding this performance. Kami would call Kelly and say "Only 5 sleeps until my ba-cital Daddy!" Kelly would then ask if she was stretching, and she would giggle and say yes.

Kelly had always planned on driving to FL to see her big dance, and then bring the fantastic four back to TN for the summer. Logistically, I was not going to be able to go (not enough room in the car). Kami had been asking if "Nanas was coming?" and Kelly had told her I couldn't. It broke my heart that I wasn't going to be able to see her big ba-cital debut. However, Bryce had to finish his All-star baseball season, so just the twins were going back with Dad. With these new plans, I realized I would be able to attend her ba-cital, and immediately started to boo-hoo. I was so happy. Kam and I have always had a fun relationship. She is my sugar and spice, in an otherwise snail and puppy dog world. I love her so very much.

Needless to say, she was magnificent! She looked so pretty in her pink tu-tu. Full of pride as she pranced across that stage for the very first time. Kelly and I were grinning from ear to ear. She also knew every word to the songs....we know this because she was the only girl lip-synching throughout the performances! :) There was supposedly "no photography" during the show. I am normally a rule follower to the core, but I could not let this moment pass without snapping a few shots. Which in turn, I received some nasty looks from the usher lady. But oh well, capturing the shots below was totally worth it! I'm a rebel, I know. ;)

Typical Kam these days.....Hands on hips!

I love this one.

After the ba-cital concluded, Kelly ran and gave her some flowers. In true "daddy's girl" fashion, Daddy was the first person Kami wanted to see. Which, I know made Kelly feel so good. We then made a mad dash to baseball field to catch the last part of Bryce's game. Where we took some more pics!

Daddy & his little girl

Proud twin brother. I sat next to Kyle at the recital and he was surprisingly supportive. He played games on my phone most of the time, but as soon as his sister hit the stage he was full attention. It was really sweet.

The Princess herself

What a great day! Now the 12 hour road trip afterwards....that's another story! Love to you and yours!~ Anna

JUDE'S MICKEY MOUSE BIRTHDAY--MY BABY IS 2!

My sweet baby boy is 2 years old. I can't believe it! I know it is cliche, but they really do grow up so fast. Since "the mouse" is a pretty big deal in our house, I decided to throw a Mickey Mouse party for Jude. We rented a Disney themed bounce house and invited all of Jude's friends and their parents for a cookout to celebrate my "big boy." It rained all day Sunday, but luckily the sun came out just in time for the party. Below are some pics from Jude's special day.

Mickey Mouse cupcakes and cookies!

I made these centerpieces out of styrofoam balls, black paint, toothpicks, a wooden stick, ribbon and a little hot glue. It was a labor of love.

I made this Happy Birthday banner too. Another labor of love.

The Mickey Mouse show sings a song "hot dog, hot dog, hot diggity dog." So, we decided to grill hotdogs and bratwurst and create a "Hot Diggity Dog Bar." Guests could load up their dog with chili, onions, cheese, relish, coleslaw and condiments. Yum!

Riley and Jude inspecting the goods. So many presents!

Ava and Aidan playing in the bounce

Happy Birthday sweet boy!

Yummy in Jude's Tummy!

Parker and Hunter enjoying the Mickey cupcakes

Ramsey's momma always dresses her perfect! She looked so cute in her Minnie outfit.

This is one of my favorite pics from the entire day. I think Cruiz likes cupcakes!

Thanks to all our friends and family for making Jude's day so wonderful and fun. And a special thanks to my sweet husband who cleaned the house and grilled, while I ran around like a crazy person decorating and putting together treat bags.

Since I will be making a book out of my blog for the kids to have, I wanted to write something special about my baby Jude. I am filled with so much pride for the little person Jude is becoming. He is a friend to everyone. Loves life every minute of the day. Is smarter than I ever imagined. And never misses a beat. Loves to dance with his mommy. Thinks his daddy is Superman and Handy Manny wrapped up in one person. Looks at his brothers and sister like they hung the stars and the moon in the sky. He has taught me how to live life in the moment and made me smile at least 100 times every day of his little life. I am so blessed, proud and happy to call him my son. You are so loved Jude-bug. Happy Birthday baby boy!

THE PERFECT WEEKEND

As I have mentioned on this blog before, Kelly travels to Florida or the fantastic four comes to M-town every month. We work really hard to make sure this is possible. A majority of the time, one of the sacrifices is that Jude and I have to stay behind. Well, thanks to American Express (Holla!) we received a free companion airfare ticket and decided to use it on a family trip to visit the kids. I am also a self-proclaimed deal-finder, and I used my mad skills to find a 4 star hotel in Ponte Vedra for $75 anight. Don't hate-Appreciate.

On Saturday morning, we headed to see Bryce's League championship baseball game. Bryce has really become an awesome baseball player. He had 5 home-runs this season! His little girlfriend (yes, I said girlfriend, ugh!) was there and Kelly and I were able to meet her.

Bryce and Emily. Isn't she cute?!?! Girls nowadays, do not got thru that "awkward stage" in 5th/6th grade that we all went thru. I personally think it should be a right of passage.

As I was taking their picture, look who slipped in. I. love. it. She just stepped in and smiled. That's HER big brother Bryce! Other girls, move over!

Exhibit #500 why I never post any pictures with my baby Jude. One of us always closes our eyes or make a funny face. This would have been a framer :(

Bryce and Dad after the award ceremony. Dad was trying to kiss him on the cheek in front of all his friends and girlfriend. Soooo not cool Dad.

On Saturday afternoon, we headed to the beach and pool. Our resort had an awesome Beach Club.

This is how Baby Jude spent his time. Throwing the football into the water at his brothers.

On Sunday, I woke up to a Starbucks coffee and Mother's Day cards from my whole crew. Then we headed to brunch. After we stuffed ourselves silly, we headed to our resort's minature golf course.

Our crew

There is so much love in this picture. Look how Jude is holding Kam and Kyle's hands. They all love each other so much. I wish I would have taken this with my Nikon and not my I-phone :(

I entitled this blog "The Perfect Weekend" because it really was my perfect weekend. So much so that on Sunday, while we were playing minature golf, I justed started tearing up. I suddenly became overwhelmed with how much I love my family. I was so incredibly happy to have us together. Big families aren't for everyone, but they are surely for me. Someone is always saying or doing something to make everyone laugh. There is always a funny story to be told. A moment to be proud of. My friend Courtney told me, "Family's with character are usually the best kind." Well, our kids and my husband are definitely full of character. And I am filled to the rim with love for each and every one of them. Love to all~ Anna

Happy Easter Bunny!

Our Easter weekend wasn't quite as eventful as we had hoped. We had plans to head to St. Louis for my cousins' wedding shower and spend Easter with my grandparents. However, on Friday, Jude got a nasty infection and the doctor squashed our travel plans. But, Que sera sera. We winded up making the most of our Easter weekend together at home.

The Easter bunny came! Jude reached for his Mickey flash light wand first. Mickey Mouse is a pretty big deal in our house.

Kisses for Elmo!

Easter Sunday best. Mommy can't seem to buy enough seer sucker for her baby. Seer sucker pants with embroiored sail boats....handsome and happy!

We met Mimi up at Owen Brennan's for Brunch and stuffed ourselves silly.

Now, let me explain why I entitled this blog entry "Happy EasterBunny." Whenever my husband or I would tell Jude to say, "Happy Easter." He decided that he would add "bunny" to the end and say "Happy Easter Bunny." Which always brought a smile to the face of all those he said it to, and his proud mommy and daddy, of course. So, I hope you all had a Happy Easter Bunny too! Love to all!~ Anna